Scottish Executive

Adult Literacy

Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is improving adult literacy.

Mr Jim Wallace: Following the publication of the Scottish Executive’s Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland report in July 2001, we have allocated new funding of £51 million over a five-year period to 2006 to support 80,000 adults by 2004 and 150,000 by 2006. £40 million of this money is routed through Community Learning Strategy Partnerships in local authorities where all providers can access funds to supply a range of learning opportunities. My colleague Margaret Curran and I recently announced £1 million for eight national pathfinder projects to support the initiative, and a national awareness raising campaign is planned for early 2004 to help attract new learners and raise awareness with employers.

Asylum Seekers

Rosie Kane (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in its discussions with the Home Office and South Lanarkshire Council regarding Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre.

Ms Margaret Curran: Discussions are continuing with the Home Office regarding the implementation of the recommendations made in the reports by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education on Dungavel.

Asylum Seekers

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1922 by Peter Peacock on 5 September 2003, what provisions of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 are disapplied by the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Peter Peacock: The child welfare provisions in section 22 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 are disapplied where section 122 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 applies.

Asylum Seekers

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1922 by Peter Peacock on 5 September 2003, under what circumstances provisions of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 are disapplied.

Peter Peacock: Section 22 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 is disapplied where section 122 of the Immigration and Asylum 1999 Act applies.

Asylum Seekers

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1922 by Peter Peacock on 5 September 2003, what provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 disapply provisions of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

Peter Peacock: Section 122 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 disapplies provisions of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

Community Wardens

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates is the average annual cost of a community warden scheme.

Ms Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-2338 on 16 September 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Drug Misuse

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has made available to each drug action team in each of the last four years.

Hugh Henry: Resources to tackle drug misuse are allocated through a number of funding streams and not directly to drug action teams, who are not constituted bodies. All funding cannot be separately identified as much of it is spent through generic expenditure programmes, e.g. through social work services, enforcement and criminal justice activities, prevention and education programmes and funding to support communities.

  The following tables, however, show the allocations to NHS boards for drug treatment services from 2000-01; the additional resources for drug rehabilitation allocated to local authorities within their Grant Aided Expenditure from 2001-02; the resources allocated to local authorities through the Changing Children’s Service Fund for drug-related activities from 2001-02; additional resources allocated to local education authorities for drug education for 2001-02 and 2002-03, and support funding for drug action teams from 2000-01.

  Treatment Allocation

  


NHS Board 
  

Allocation
2000-01
(£000) 
  

Allocation
2001-02
(£000) 
  

Allocation
2002-03
(£000) 
  

Allocation
2003-04
(£000) 
  



Argyll and Clyde 
  

984 
  

1,111 
  

1,338 
  

1,338 
  



Ayrshire and Arran 
  

609 
  

737 
  

987 
  

987 
  



Borders 
  

118 
  

160 
  

162 
  

162 
  



Dumfries and Galloway 
  

124 
  

298 
  

258 
  

258 
  



Fife 
  

514 
  

698 
  

789 
  

789 
  



Forth Valley 
  

226 
  

462 
  

557 
  

557 
  



Grampian 
  

1,085 
  

1,283 
  

1,313 
  

1,313 
  



Greater Glasgow* 
  

3,670 
  

4,387* 
  

4,488* 
  

4,488* 
  



Highland 
  

181 
  

300 
  

414 
  

414 
  



Lanarkshire 
  

607 
  

862 
  

1,449 
  

1,449 
  



Lothian 
  

2,922 
  

3,214 
  

3,539 
  

3,539 
  



Orkney 
  

20 
  

24 
  

32 
  

32 
  



Shetland 
  

42 
  

46 
  

55 
  

55 
  



Tayside 
  

1,225 
  

1,348 
  

1,483 
  

1,483 
  



Western Isles 
  

25 
  

43 
  

87 
  

87 
  



Total Scotland 
  

12,352 
  

14,973 
  

16,951 
  

16,951 
  



  Note:

  *Funding does not include additional resources of £250,000 allocated to Greater Glasgow NHS Board in 2001-02 or £500,000 in 2002-03 and 2003-04 to meet the treatment costs of the Glasgow Drug Court pilot.

  Rehabilitation

  Annual Additional Funding for 2001-02 to 2003-04

  


Local Authority 
  

£000 
  



Aberdeen City 
  

282 
  



Aberdeenshire 
  

302 
  



Angus 
  

146 
  



Argyll and Bute 
  

119 
  



Clackmannanshire 
  

65 
  



Dumfries and Galloway 
  

195 
  



Dundee City 
  

192 
  



East Ayrshire 
  

161 
  



East Dunbartonshire 
  

147 
  



East Lothian 
  

120 
  



East Renfrewshire 
  

119 
  



Edinburgh, City of 
  

600 
  



Eilean Siar 
  

37 
  



Falkirk 
  

192 
  



Fife 
  

464 
  



Glasgow City 
  

812 
  



Highland 
  

277 
  



Inverclyde 
  

113 
  



Midlothian 
  

108 
  



Moray 
  

113 
  



North Ayrshire 
  

185 
  



North Lanarkshire 
  

436 
  



Orkney 
  

26 
  



Perth and Kinross 
  

178 
  



Renfrewshire 
  

235 
  



Scottish Borders 
  

141 
  



Shetland 
  

30 
  



South Ayrshire 
  

152 
  



South Lanarkshire 
  

408 
  



Stirling 
  

113 
  



West Dunbartonshire 
  

126 
  



West Lothian 
  

205 
  



Scotland 
  

6,800 
  



  Changing Children’s Services Fund

  Funding for Work with Young People and Families

  


Local Authority 
  

2001-02
Allocation
(£000) 
  

2002-03
Allocation
(£000) 
  

2003-04
Allocation
(£000) 
  

Total
Allocation
(Over 3-Year Period)
(£000) 
  



Aberdeen City 
  

111 
  

168 
  

225 
  

504 
  



Aberdeenshire 
  

123 
  

185 
  

247 
  

555 
  



Angus 
  

66 
  

100 
  

133 
  

299 
  



Argyll and Bute 
  

57 
  

86 
  

115 
  

259 
  



Clackmannanshire 
  

42 
  

64 
  

85 
  

192 
  



Dumfries and Galloway 
  

101 
  

153 
  

204 
  

458 
  



Dundee City 
  

162 
  

245 
  

328 
  

736 
  



East Ayrshire 
  

113 
  

170 
  

228 
  

510 
  



East Dunbartonshire 
  

35 
  

52 
  

70 
  

157 
  



East Lothian 
  

50 
  

75 
  

101 
  

225 
  



East Renfrewshire 
  

31 
  

46 
  

62 
  

139 
  



Edinburgh, City of 
  

268 
  

406 
  

544 
  

1,219 
  



Eilean Siar 
  

30 
  

30 
  

30 
  

90 
  



Falkirk 
  

90 
  

137 
  

183 
  

410 
  



Fife 
  

223 
  

338 
  

452 
  

1,013 
  



Glasgow City 
  

861 
  

1301 
  

1742 
  

3,904 
  



Highland 
  

153 
  

231 
  

309 
  

692 
  



Inverclyde 
  

83 
  

125 
  

167 
  

375 
  



Midlothian 
  

48 
  

73 
  

98 
  

218 
  



Moray 
  

47 
  

71 
  

95 
  

213 
  



North Ayrshire 
  

140 
  

211 
  

283 
  

634 
  



North Lanarkshire 
  

293 
  

442 
  

592 
  

1,326 
  



Orkney Islands 
  

30 
  

30 
  

30 
  

90 
  



Perth and Kinross 
  

76 
  

114 
  

153 
  

342 
  



Renfrewshire 
  

152 
  

229 
  

307 
  

688 
  



Scottish Borders 
  

61 
  

91 
  

122 
  

274 
  



Shetland Islands 
  

30 
  

30 
  

30 
  

90 
  



South Ayrshire 
  

64 
  

97 
  

130 
  

292 
  



South Lanarkshire 
  

196 
  

296 
  

397 
  

889 
  



Stirling 
  

52 
  

78 
  

104 
  

234 
  



West Dunbartonshire 
  

113 
  

170 
  

228 
  

510 
  



West Lothian 
  

102 
  

154 
  

206 
  

461 
  



Scotland 
  

4,000 
  

6,000 
  

8,000 
  

18,000 
  



  Drug Education Grant Funding 2001-02 E2002-03

  


Education Authority 
  

Amount for
2001-02 and 2002-03 
  

Education Authority 
  

Amount for
2001-02 and 2002-03 
  



Aberdeen City 
  

32,557 
  

Highland 
  

36,712 
  



Aberdeenshire 
  

39,000 
  

Inverclyde 
  

18,500 
  



Angus 
  

21,359 
  

Midlothian 
  

18,289 
  



Argyll and Bute 
  

17,552 
  

Moray 
  

17,740 
  



Clackmannanshire 
  

12,550 
  

North Ayrshire 
  

26,360 
  



Comhairle an Eilean Siar 
  

8,900 
  

North Lanarkshire 
  

58,234 
  



Dumfries and Galloway 
  

26,082 
  

Orkney 
  

7,700 
  



Dundee 
  

26,526 
  

Perth and Kinross 
  

22,500 
  



East Ayrshire 
  

23,272 
  

Renfrewshire 
  

32,989 
  



East Dumbartonshire 
  

25,000 
  

Scottish Borders 
  

20,009 
  



East Lothian 
  

17,725 
  

Shetland 
  

8,460 
  



East Renfrewshire 
  

21,350 
  

South Ayrshire 
  

21,659 
  



Edinburgh 
  

58,000 
  

South Lanarkshire 
  

52,216 
  



Falkirk 
  

26,714 
  

Stirling 
  

17,528 
  



Fife 
  

58,017 
  

West Dunbartonshire 
  

20,970 
  



Glasgow 
  

85,230 
  

West Lothian 
  

31,900 
  



  DAT Support Funding

  


NHS Board 
  

2000-01
(£) 
  

2001-02
(£) 
  

2002-03
(£) 
  

2003-04
(£) 
  



Argyll and Clyde 
  

80,000 
  

112,049 
  

112,049 
  

112,049 
  



Ayrshire and Arran 
  

80,000 
  

109,639 
  

109,639 
  

109,639 
  



Borders 
  

50,000 
  

66,577 
  

66,577 
  

66,577 
  



Dumfries and Galloway 
  

50,000 
  

68,548 
  

68,548 
  

68,548 
  



Fife 
  

80,000 
  

108,463 
  

108,463 
  

108,463 
  



Forth Valley 
  

80,000 
  

104,913 
  

104,913 
  

104,913 
  



Grampian* 
  

80,000 
  

139,692 
  

139,692 
  

139,692 
  



Greater Glasgow 
  

80,000 
  

135,570 
  

135,570 
  

135,570 
  



Highland 
  

80,000 
  

101,578 
  

101,578 
  

101,578 
  



Lanarkshire 
  

80,000 
  

118,787 
  

118,787 
  

118,787 
  



Lothian#


80,000 
  

163,687 
  

163,687 
  

163,687 
  



Orkney 
  

35,000 
  

47,319 
  

47,319 
  

47,319 
  



Shetland 
  

35,000 
  

47,483 
  

47,483 
  

47,483 
  



Tayside~


80,000 
  

132,999 
  

132,999 
  

132,999 
  



Western Isles 
  

35,000 
  

47,699 
  

47,699 
  

47,699 
  



Scotland 
  

1,005,000 
  

1,505,03 
  

1,505,003 
  

1,505,003 
  



  Notes:

  *Grampian Health Board comprises Moray, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Drug Action Teams.

  #Lothian Health Board comprises Edinburgh City, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian Drug Action Teams.

  ~Tayside Health Board comprises Perth and Kinross, Angus and Dundee City Drug Action Teams.

Drug Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Standing Committee of Chief Constables is carrying out a thorough review of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, as recommended by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMIC) in the Primary Inspection 2003 of the agency.

Hugh Henry: Following publication of the HMIC's Primary Inspection of the SDEA, a working group was established under the auspices of the Standing Committee of Chief Constables. The terms of reference of the group is to review each of the recommendations made and present proposals for the way forward.

  The work of the group is nearing conclusion. A report will be presented to the Standing Committee of Chief Constables which, in turn, will inform the Scottish Executive of how the recommendations can best be implemented.

Drug Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that budget monitoring for the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency is conducted at a more detailed level, as recommended by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMIC) in the Primary Inspection 2003.

Hugh Henry: Improved arrangements for budget monitoring and accountability of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) are being considered by the working group established by the Standing Committee of Chief Constables to review the recommendations arising from the HMIC Inspection.

  These issues will also be considered in an audit of the SDEA, to be carried out by the Scottish Executive Audit Services in the spring of 2004. This audit will examine financial control and management arrangements within the agency.

Drug Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a full needs-based assessment is being conducted by the Standing Committee of Chief Constables to identify the appropriate level of resourcing required by the Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency consistent with the review of its mission statement, aims, objectives and targets.

Hugh Henry: This recommendation, arising from the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) Primary Inspection of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, is currently being considered by the working group established by the Standing Committee of Chief Constables to review the HMIC Inspection report’s recommendations.

Dyslexia

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued to local authorities about testing for dyslexia.

Malcolm Chisholm: Communities Scotland’s Learning Connections team are discussing with key organisations development of guidelines for local authorities, and their community learning partners, on supporting the literacy and numeracy needs of individuals with dyslexia.

  Education authorities are under a general duty, under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, to ensure that pupils with special educational needs, including dyslexia, are appropriately supported within schools. Circular 4/96, Children and Young Persons with Special Educational Needs: Assessment and Recording, provides general advice for education authorities regarding the assessment and recording of pupils with special educational needs.

Dyslexia

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the effectiveness of coloured glasses in the treatment of dyslexia.

Malcolm Chisholm: This is a matter for NHS boards and NHS trusts.

  Although not involved in the "treatment" of dyslexia, the Scottish Executive Education Department is undertaking a number of initiatives to support school pupils with dyslexia, including providing project funding under the Special Educational Needs Innovation Grant Scheme 2002-04. £102,000 has been awarded to the Scottish Dyslexia Trust to improve practical support to parents and teachers of children with dyslexia, and £79,000 has been awarded to Dyslexia Scotwest to develop a dyslexia friendly schools award in East Renfrewshire.

Dyslexia

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued guidelines on the provision of coloured glasses for the treatment of dyslexia to (a) NHS boards and (b) local authorities.

Malcolm Chisholm: (a) This is a matter for NHS boards and NHS trusts.

  (b) I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-2018 today, which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Education

Mike Pringle (Edinburgh South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the City of Edinburgh Council’s Education Department and what issues were discussed.

Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2O-344 on 4 September 2003, which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/sch/search. I have not met with representatives of the City of Edinburgh Council since.

Education

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the OECD report on educational performance and on what lessons can be learned from Finland's level of educational performance.

Euan Robson: We welcome OECD's Education at a Glance 2003 publication as an extensive and authoritative source of international comparisons in education. It is important that we are able to compare ourselves with other countries in this way, and to learn from others where we can.

  While this report does not give many specific figures for Scotland, other reports confirm that Scotland fares reasonably well in international comparisons. Finland is particularly successful in achieving high levels of performance with a relatively narrow gap between high and low attainers. Closing the gap in educational attainment is also a key objective of the Executive, and one which is being pursued through the School Improvement Framework.

Education

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to abolish national testing in schools.

Peter Peacock: I have today launched a consultation on Assessment, Testing and Reporting 3-14 which aims to ensure that the quality of information that pupils, parents, teachers and policy makers receive will increase through establishing an integrated assessment system which fully supports learning and will:

  provide better feedback and guidance on the quality of work, leading to improved achievement, for pupils;

  result in clearer information and more involvement in their child’s education for parents;

  ensure an end to inappropriate assessment by simplifying the assessment system, with support from the National Assessment Bank, and free up time to teach for teachers, and

  provide a sharper focus on progress at local authority and Scottish levels, providing more robust, rigorous and reliable information on national performance for local authority managers and ministers.

  Copies of the consultation document are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 29375).

Enterprise

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote languages in schools so that the business sector will be better able to compete in a multi-lingual market.

Peter Peacock: Since 2001 the Scottish Executive has provided education authorities with £10.5 million to support the implementation of the recommendations made in the Action Group on Languages Ereport Citizens of a Multilingual World . This report emphasised the importance of languages in contributing to Scotland’s economic regeneration. The Scottish Executive is also supporting 24 Innovation in Language Learning projects, several of which focus on languages within the business sector.

Environment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to local authorities to deal with abandoned vehicles.

Ross Finnie: In 2002-03 local authorities were provided with funding of £2.2 million in recognition of the additional costs that the implementation of the End of Life Vehicles Directive will place on clearing abandoned cars. We have advised COSLA that £2.202 million will be available in this financial year, and are consulting on its distribution. Further funding for next year is under consideration. Local authorities have also had the opportunity to commit additional funds towards dealing with abandoned cars through the Quality of Life Initiative, which offered £95 million in 2002-03 and £180 million in 2003-04 and the subsequent two financial years.

  In January 2003, revised regulations were introduced which reduced the statutory notice periods which local authorities must observe before dealing with abandoned cars, thus enabling them to react more quickly in removing these dangerous eyesores from our streets.

  Through its consultation paper, Putting our communities first: A Strategy for tackling Anti-social Behaviour, the Scottish Executive sought comments on the level of charges which would cover local authorities' costs for removing, storing and disposing of abandoned vehicles. The paper also asked whether the present regulations governing the removal of vehicles are sufficient. The consultation period has now been completed and the responses are currently being considered.

Environment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to each local authority to tackle graffiti and vandalism.

Mr Andy Kerr: The revenue grant provided to local authorities is largely unhypothecated and it is up to each authority how it allocates these resources to meet its local needs and priorities. Details of how much each authority has received can be found in the local government finance circular 1-2003 (Bib. number 26534). A copy of this circular can be obtained in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

  Additionally, £95 million of Quality of Life resources was provided in 2002-03 to improve the local environment and to provide additional services for children and young people. Local authorities allocated £2.4 million of this to initiatives on graffiti and vandalism. Further resources of £180 million for Quality of Life funding was provided for 2003-04 to 2005-06 as part of the recent local government settlement (local authority allocations are provided in the above mentioned circular). Local authorities Eplans include spending approximately £2.7 million over 2003-06 to tackle graffiti and vandalism.

Fisheries

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Scottish Borders Council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency concerning the proposed fish farm on the River Tweed.

Allan Wilson: Officials met with the River Tweed Commissioners on 22 November 2002 to discuss concerns about containment on local fish farms when the proposal for a new salmon smolt hatchery was raised. Representatives of Borders Council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency were present.

  Since then there has been informal contact between the Executive and other regulators about the issue, but it is important to recognise that there is as yet no formal development application.

Flooding

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was allocated to flood alleviation measures and flood defences in each of the last five years.

Allan Wilson: The capital allocation provided to local authorities specifically for flood prevention and coast protection projects for each of the last five years is as follows:

  

 

£ Million 
  



Year 2003-04 
  

11.8 
  



Year 2002-03 
  

9 
  



Year 2001-02 
  

8.5 
  



Year 2000-01 
  

4 
  



Year 1999-2000 
  

4 
  



  Additionally, within the Executive's annual provisions to support local authorities Erevenue expenditure, over £3 million is included to fund their duty to maintain watercourses, where this will reduce the likelihood of flooding of non-agricultural areas.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken any autonomous liberalisation measures to facilitate Her Majesty’s Government negotiations on further liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

Mr Jim Wallace: The regulation of international trade is a reserved matter. However, the Scottish Executive continues to be in regular contact with the Department of Trade and Industry and other government departments on trade issues, including the General Agreement on Trade in Services negotiations, to ensure that Scottish interests are fully taken account of.

  The Scottish Executive has not undertaken any autonomous liberalisation measures to facilitate Her Majesty’s Government negotiations on further liberalisation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the current round of negotiations on environmental services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services will have on public services if the United States of America's proposal to liberalise sewage, refuse, sanitation and similar services and, in particular, the proposed extension of environmental services in that proposal to include construction, engineering, consulting, advertising, and business and professional services as environmental services, is accepted.

Mr Jim Wallace: The regulation of international trade is a reserved matter. However, the Scottish Executive continues to be in regular contact with the Department of Trade and Industry and other government departments on trade issues, including the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) negotiations, to ensure that Scottish interests are fully taken account of.

  The purpose of the GATS negotiations is to obtain further binding non-discriminatory market access for service suppliers in those sectors and to such extent that governments see benefit from international competition. Nothing in the GATS can force a country to privatise. World Trade Organization members choose in which sectors and to what extent they want to make commitments. Public services are in any event excluded from the scope of GATS.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1582 by Mr Jim Wallace on 18 August 2003, whether it has taken its own legal advice on the legal implications of the BetterCare Group Ltd ruling on the impact and operation of the General Agreement on Trade in Services and what the reasons for its position on the matter are.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive has not taken legal advice on the legal implications of the BetterCare Group Ltd ruling on the impact and operation of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The regulation of international trade is a reserved matter and as such the UK Government take the lead on issues relating to the GATS. However, Scottish Executive officials maintain regular contact with DTI officials regarding trade issues, including the GATS, and how it may impact on the Executive’s responsibilities.

Health

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review current procedures and guidelines on public consultations on the establishment of medium-secure care centres.

Mr Tom McCabe: Draft guidance on consultation and public involvement in service change was issued to the health service in May 2002 and will shortly be revised to reflect comments received. The core principles of the guidance are that the patients and local communities affected by any proposed change should be informed and included as early as possible in the consultation process.

Housing

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities are undertaking housing stock transfers and how many local authorities intend to participate in transfers in future.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: East Dunbartonshire, City of Edinburgh and Fife Councils are in the process of undertaking partial transfers which are being supported by the New Housing Partnerships programme. Financial support is also being provided to Western Isles and Argyll and Bute Councils to develop whole transfer proposals. A number of other councils are undertaking option appraisals on the future of their housing.

Justice

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting period is (a) nationally and (b) in each district court area to bring a (i) civil and (ii) criminal case to trial.

Cathy Jamieson: The latest available information on the average time between pleading and trial diets in district courts is given in the following table. District courts have no civil jurisdiction.

  Average Waiting Time (Weeks) Between Pleading and Trial Diets in District Courts, 2001-02

  


Commission Area 
  

Average Waiting Time 
  



Aberdeen City 
  

N/A 
  



Aberdeenshire 
  

9 
  



Angus 
  

9 
  



Argyll and Bute 
  

12 
  



Clackmannanshire 
  

9 
  



Dumfries and Galloway 
  

9 
  



Dundee City 
  

9 
  



East Ayrshire 
  

10 
  



East Dunbartonshire 
  

8 
  



East Lothian 
  

9 
  



East Renfrewshire 
  

7 
  



Edinburgh, City of 
  

9 
  



Eilean Siar 
  

11 
  



Falkirk 
  

10 
  



Fife 
  

12 
  



Glasgow City (average) 
  

22 
  



 - District Court 
  

20 
  



 - Stipendiary Magistrate 
  

23 
  



Highland 
  

10 
  



Inverclyde 
  

8 
  



Midlothian 
  

N/A 
  



Moray 
  

9 
  



North Ayrshire 
  

8 
  



North Lanarkshire 
  

9 
  



Perth and Kinross 
  

10 
  



Renfrewshire 
  

10 
  



Scottish Borders 
  

8 
  



South Ayrshire 
  

9 
  



South Lanarkshire 
  

10 
  



Stirling 
  

N/A 
  



West Dunbartonshire 
  

8 
  



West Lothian 
  

13 
  



Scotland 
  

11 
  



  N/A: not available.

Justice

Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for implementing the recommendations of the report of the Cross-Party Working Group on Religious Hatred, Tackling Religious Hatred , and whether it will involve voluntary organisations, such as Nil by Mouth, in implementing these recommendations.

Ms Margaret Curran: The working group's report supported adjustment to the legal framework in relation to religious hatred. Provisions on offences aggravated by religious prejudice were included in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 and came into effect on 27 June 2003. Nil by Mouth gave evidence during Stage 2 of the bill that they were in favour of the provisions.

  Having assessed responses to the other recommendations in the working group’s report, we are currently considering the way forward and will make an announcement in due course. As is the case with all respondents, we carefully considered Nil by Mouth's response and will take their views into account.

Learning Disabilities

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what respite care is available for adults with learning difficulties.

Mr Tom McCabe: There were 302 respite places in residential care homes for adults with learning disabilities at 31 March 2002. During 2001-02, there were 12,123 short-stay admissions to residential care homes for adults with learning disabilities.

  Information on other types of respite is not held centrally.

Learning Disabilities

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many respite care places are available for adults with learning difficulties in each local authority area.

Mr Tom McCabe: The following table shows the number of registered residential care respite places in residential care homes for adults with learning disabilities; in the local authority, private and voluntary sectors. (The figures do not include places within the new Supporting People arrangements. Nor is there information available on the number of places within private nursing homes). Homes which do not register respite places may still accept short-stay or respite residents.

  Number of Residential Care Home Respite Places, by Local Authority Area, 2002

  


Local Authority Area


Residential Home Respite Places




Aberdeen City


16




Aberdeenshire


20




Angus


4




Argyll and Bute


5




Clackmannanshire


1




Dumfries and Galloway


8




Dundee City


5




East Ayrshire


15




East Dunbartonshire


1




East Lothian


0




East Renfrewshire


1




Edinburgh, City of


36




Eileanan Siar


3




Falkirk


3




Fife


12




Glasgow, City of


52




Highland


11




Inverclyde


13




Midlothian


0




Moray


5




North Ayrshire


9




North Lanarkshire


33




Orkney Islands


3




Perthshire and Kinross


4




Renfrewshire


11




Scottish Borders


5




Shetland Islands


5




South Ayrshire


7




South Lanarkshire


3




Stirling


5




West Dunbartonshire


3




West Lothian


3




Scotland


302




  Source: Scottish Executive R1 Return.

Learning Disabilities

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1884 by Mr Tom McCabe on 2 September 2003, when the report of the employment sub-group of the national The Same as you? Implementation Group will be published.

Mr Tom McCabe: We currently expect to publish the report of the employment sub-group around the end of October.

Learning Disabilities

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1885 by Mr Tom McCabe on 1 September 2003, what additional resources it has provided to schools to allow them to comply with legislation providing for the inclusion of all children in mainstream schools.

Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-1447 on 6 August 2003, which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Learning Disabilities

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1879 by Mr Tom McCabe on 1 September 2003, where the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability will be located.

Mr Tom McCabe: The address of the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability is Unit 16, Adelphi Centre, 12 Commercial Road, Glasgow and has been there for 2½ years. Information about the work of SCLD can be found on their web-site at http://www.scld.org.uk/.

Learning Disabilities

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1879 by Mr Tom McCabe on 1 September 2003, where the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability will be located.

Mr Tom McCabe: The address of the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability (SCLD) is Unit 16, Adelphi Centre, 12 Commercial Road, Glasgow and has been there for two and a half years. Information about the work of SCLD can be found on their website at http://www.scld.org.uk/.

Local Government

Mike Pringle (Edinburgh South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the City of Edinburgh Council’s Education Department and what issues were discussed.

Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2O-344 on 4 September 2003, which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/sch/search. I have not met with representatives of The City of Edinburgh Council since.

Ministerial Visits

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all overseas engagements carried out by ministers and the costs of those visits for 2002-03.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is set out in the following table. Before any overseas engagement is approved, it must represent good value for the Executive and the taxpayer.

  Overseas Engagements Carried Out by Scottish Executive Ministers During the Financial Year 2002-03.

  


Date of Visit 
  

End Date
(if different) 
  

Location 
  

Event 
  

Minister(s) 
  

Cost of Minister’s Travel and Subsistence
(£) 
  



27-03-03 
  

28-03-03 
  

Italy 
  

Attended a debate on the Future of Regional Policy post 
  2006. 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

739.08 
  



21-03-03 
  

23-03-03 
  

France 
  

Launched VisitScotland spring campaign, spoke at devolution 
  seminar, visited the Old College, had discussions with French 
  Minister, attended Tunes of Glory parade and the France- 
  Scotland rugby match. 
  

Mike Watson 
  

689.68 
  



20-02-03 
  
 

Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture and Fisheries Council. 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

532.00 
  



19-02-03 
  

20-02-03 
  

Belgium and
Germany 
  

Held discussions on trade issues and met with Commissioner 
  Liikanen in Belgium. Travelled to Düsseldorf and signed 
  a co-operation agreement with North-Rhine Westphalia. 
  

Iain Gray 
  

749.60 
  



17-03-03 
  

18-03-03 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture and Fisheries Council. 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

798.35 
  



16-02-03 
  

17-02-03 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Forward Studies meeting as part of the Future 
  of the European Structural Funds debate. 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

530.00 
  



07-02-03 
  
 

Ireland 
  

Attended British-Irish Council meeting on drugs policy. 
  

Hugh Henry 
  

137.00





27-01-03 
  
 

Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture and Fisheries Council. 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

978.80 
  



20-01-03 
  

21-01-03 
  

Belgium 
  

Met with Scottish MEPs to discuss the future of European 
  Structural Funds. 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

530.00 
  



18-12-02 
  

03-01-03 
  

New Zealand 
  

Met with the New Zealand Human Rights Commissioner and 
  had discussions with judges on restorative justice and penal 
  policy. 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

0.00* 
  



15-12-02 
  

21-12-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture and Fisheries Council. 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

1,638.86 
  



05-12-02 
  

06-12-02 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Had discussions with the Luxembourg Sports Minister and 
  met with journalists regarding the EURO 2008 bid. 
  

Mike Watson 
  

557.41 
  



02-12-02 
  

03-12-02 
  

Finland 
  

Attended a meeting of the Territorial Cohesion Commission. 
  Also undertook a series of education related visits/meetings. 
  

Nicol Stephen 
  

0.00* 
  



27-11-02 
  

29-11-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture and Fisheries Council. 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

1,019.66 
  



26-11-02 
  

29-11-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Fact-finding visit on EU Justice matters. 
  

Colin Boyd
Elish Angiolini 
  

1,705.50 
  



25-11-02 
  

26-11-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Competitiveness Council 
  

Iain Gray 
  

879.90 
  



18-11-02 
  

19-11-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Met with the EU Commission to discuss Clyde and Hebrides 
  Ferry Services. 
  

Lewis MacDonald 
  

507.61 
  



17-11-02 
  

21-11-02 
  

USA 
  

Visit to re-establish links with US companies located in 
  Scotland, the East Coast Business Community, East Coast 
  Universities and Globalscot members. 
  

Iain Gray 
  

2,717.50 
  



16-11-02 
  

23-11-02 
  

St Vincent and Grenadines 
  

Attended the 12th Commonwealth Law Ministers conference 
  on progress on international legal co- operation. 
  

Colin Boyd 
  

3,880.40 
  



11-11-02 
  

12-11-02 
  

Ireland 
  

Attend Gala Concert by the RSAMD and Irish Youth Orchestra. 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

508.80 
  



11-11-02 
  
 

Belgium 
  

Attended Education, Youth and Culture Council. 
  

Elaine Murray 
  

204.40 
  



04-11-02 
  

06-11-02 
  

Spain 
  

Met with senior Catalan Ministers to discuss the Scotland-Catalonia 
  Cooperation Agreement. 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

1,144.60 
  



23-10-02 
  

24-10-02 
  

Portugal 
  

Fact-finding visits to learn about the Portuguese prison 
  system and policies on drugs. 
  

Richard Simpson 
  

1,200.40 
  



22-10-02 
  

25-10-02 
  

Canada 
  

Fact-finding visits to learn about the Canadian fish farming 
  industry. Also had visits/meetings on forestry and rural 
  development. 
  

Allan Wilson 
  

1,056.00 
  



21-10-02 
  

24-10-02 
  

Germany 
  

Fact-finding visit to learn about the Bavarian approach 
  to land use planning for housing, and best practice in planning. 
  

Hugh Henry 
  

581.64 
  



15-10-02 
  

19-10-02 
  

Sweden 
  

Attended promotion of Scotland events in Sweden. 
  

Jack McConnell Iain Gray
Mike Watson
Jim Wallace 
  

4,237.42 
  



15-10-02 
  

16-10-02 
  

Finland 
  

Visited a number of companies and to see Tekes, the Finnish 
  National Technology Agency. 
  

Iain Gray 
  

1,565.04 
  



15-10-02 
  

16-10-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended event on the Convention on the Future of Europe 
  in Brussels. 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

630.00 
  



14-10-02 
  

17-10-02 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Agriculture and Fisheries Council and the Environment 
  Council. 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

1,676.34 
  



10-10-02 
  

11-10-02 
  

Iceland 
  

Hosted a dinner in conjunction with the Scotland-Iceland 
  International football match as part of the Euro 2008 bid. 
  

Mike Watson 
  

780.60 
  



09-10-02 
  

10-10-02 
  

Norway 
  

Presented a paper to the International Conference on Entrepreneurship 
  Education. 
  

Nicol Stephen 
  

759.90 
  



06-10-02 
  

07-10-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Met with Commissioner Barnier to discuss simplification 
  of European Structural Funds 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

630.00 
  



25-09-02 
  

27-09-02 
  

Czech Republic 
  

Had a series of meetings with national and local politicians 
  and attended a seminar on EU Enlargement. 
  

Andy Kerr 
  

1,013.52 
  



25-09-02 
  

26-09-02 
  

France 
  

Attended CLRAE (Congress of Local and Regional Authorities 
  of Europe) meeting. 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

0.00* 
  



23-09-02 
  

24-09-02 
  

Greece 
  

Attended the 2003 World Routes Aviation conference. 
  

Lewis MacDonald 
  

1,179.10 
  



23-09-02 
  

24-09-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture and Fisheries Council. 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

272.00 
  



19-09-02 
  

21-09-02 
  

Greece 
  

Attended and spoke at General Assembly of CPMR (Conference 
  of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe). 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

1,221.94 
  



06-09-02 
  

08-09-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended the annual Belgian Pipe Band championships. 
  

Elaine Murray 
  

437.10 
  



30-08-02 
  

04-09-02 
  

South Africa 
  

Attended World Summit on Sustainable Development conference 
  and held a series of meetings with attending politicians. 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

1,891.30 
  



18-08-02 
  

20-08-02 
  

Denmark 
  

Fact-finding visits to a number of housing estates around 
  Copenhagen regarding regeneration/planning issues. 
  

Hugh Henry 
  

457.37 
  



29-07-02 
  

31-07-02 
  

Finland 
  

Visited the Aker shipyard and held a series of meetings 
  relating to the penal system and health issues. 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

581.58 
  



24-07-02 
  
 

Ireland 
  

Announced major sponsorship for Euro 2008 and met with 
  Irish counterpart. 
  

Mike Watson 
  

672.34 
  



23-06-02 
  

25-06-02 
  

Germany 
  

Met the Bavarian Justice Minister and Reinhold Bocklet, 
  Minister for Europe. 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

1,114.40 
  



12-06-02 
  

14-06-02 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Justice and Home Affairs Council and held a series 
  of justice-related meetings with senior EU figures. 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

1,091.40 
  



10-06-02 
  

11-06-02 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Fisheries Council. 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

852.00 
  



05-06-02 
  

06-06-02 
  

Belgium 
  

Gave a speech on the Future of Europe, opened a new art 
  exhibition in Scotland House and met with senior EU figures. 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

798.15 
  



28-05-02 
  

31-05-02 
  

Ireland 
  

Conference of Presidents of the Supreme Courts and Attorneys 
  General. 
  

Colin Boyd



1267.48





20-05-02 
  

22-05-02 
  

France 
  

Attended the Cannes Film Festival to support the Scottish 
  film industry. 
  

Elaine Murray 
  

795.79 
  



13-05-02 
  
 

Belgium 
  

Attended EU Governance meeting. 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

899.59 
  



08-05-02 
  

10-05-02 
  

USA 
  

Attended "Countering Terrorism" conference. 
  

Colin Boyd 
  

426.00 
  



28-04-02 
  

01-05-02 
  

USA 
  

Fact-finding visit regarding the Education for Work and 
  Enterprise Review. 
  

Nicol Stephen 
  

5,993.40 
  



22-04-02 
  

24-04-02 
  

Luxembourg- Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture Council and the annual European Seafood 
  Expo. 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

622.00 
  



15-04-02 
  

16-04-02 
  

Netherlands 
  

Visit following the Lockerbie trial to meet and thank those 
  involved. 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

444.00 
  



10-04-02 
  

12-04-02 
  

France 
  

Visited Scottish MEPs and the European Court of Human Rights 
  in Strasbourg. 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

947.18





03-04-02 
  

06-04-02 
  

Spain 
  

Fact-finding visit to look at aquaculture and rural development 
  projects. 
  

Allan Wilson 
  

953.73 
  



03-04-02 
  

10-04-02 
  

USA 
  

Tartan Day. 
  

Jack McConnell Mike Watson Wendy Alexander 
  Patricia Ferguson Malcolm Chisholm 
  

13,538.06 
  



Total 
  

71,035.92 
  



  *Indicates that there was no cost to the Scottish Executive for the visit.

  Note:

  The cost given for each visit includes all flight, accommodation and other expenses.

Mountain Rescue

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made on the budget available to mountain rescue teams for (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, and (c) 2005-06; whether funding for mountain rescue teams will be ring-fenced, and whether it will increase funding for police authorities for the purpose of enhancing existing mountain rescue team revenue.

Cathy Jamieson: The Executive has already committed £300,000 for radio equipment. We are in discussion with the Police Service and the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland about possible options for future funding support. Decisions on future funding will be announced once those discussions are completed.

National Health Service

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimated additional costs will be associated with the implementation of the proposal to allow NHS boards to commission independent services which offer advice and support to service users.

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the commissioning of new service providers by NHS boards and the training of staff and establishment of local accessible offices will be effected prior to the abolition of health councils on 31 March 2004.

Malcolm Chisholm: We are currently taking forward work to ensure that these support mechanisms for users are in place when the new complaints process is introduced in April 2004. NHS boards and trusts are already required to commission independent advocacy services and we would hope to build upon this work. The final costs are yet to be confirmed.

National Library of Scotland

Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the restructuring of the National Library of Scotland will involve the abolition of the Board of Trustees.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Board of Trustees will not be abolished as part of the restructuring at the National Library of Scotland. Constitutional issues will be addressed as part of the upcoming Policy and Financial Management Review (PFMR) of the National Library, the outcome of which will be reported to Parliament.

Public Sector Pay

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether current public sector wage levels are adequate.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive considers that current public sector wage levels are adequate and fair. In practice the vast majority of directly employed public sector workers earn above minimum wage levels, with minimum rates in large parts of the sector now above £5 an hour.

Rail Network

Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with Her Majesty’s Government and the Strategic Rail Authority regarding rail infrastructure investment in Scotland.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact the UK Government and the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of issues, including rail infrastructure.

Recycling

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities are on course to meet its target of recycling 25% of waste by 2006.

Ross Finnie: The target of 25% recycling and composting of municipal waste by 2006 applies to Scotland as a whole, rather than to individual local authorities. Fourteen local authorities have so far submitted plans estimating that they will achieve a rate of 25% or over by 2005-06.

Regeneration

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1578 by Ms Margaret Curran on 18 August 2003, whether discussions between it, the two local authorities, Communities Scotland and the enterprise network have now been completed.

Ms Margaret Curran: The Scottish Executive is continuing to consider the allocation of resources for vacant and derelict land and the process for considering proposals for expenditure and an announcement will be made in due course.

Road Safety

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to improve road safety.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is addressing road safety through a wide variety of measures which involve very substantial engineering, enforcement and education initiatives.

Road Safety

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve road safety.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is addressing road safety through a wide variety of measures which involve very substantial engineering, enforcement and education initiatives.

Roads

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be taken on whether a planning inquiry will be set up in respect of works to the A8000.

Nicol Stephen: Several statutory objections to the relevant roads orders remain unresolved. Accordingly, the relevant papers were recently passed to the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit to arrange a public local inquiry into the matter.

Scottish Health Council

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new Scottish Health Council will be able to speak on behalf of patients and the general public.

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Health Council will be established as an independent body with its own board of governors whilst maintaining a close working relationship with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what roles and responsibilities lay members of the proposed local advisory councils of the Scottish Health Council will have under the proposals contained in the consultation document A New Public Involvement Structure for NHS Scotland .

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new Scottish Health Council will continue to have the same rights of representation that local health councils currently have on NHS boards and at meetings of the proposed Community Health Partnership.

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Health Council will have the same rights of representation at management board meetings as local health councils have in respect of NHS trust boards.

Malcolm Chisholm: I am committed to the establishment of the Scottish Health Council with Local Advisory Councils that will monitor and assess the performance of the NHS in their effective involvement of the public and the delivery of patient-focussed services. It will also support the development of good practice in areas of public, patient and community involvement, and support patients, carers and the public to make their views known. The Scottish Health Council and its Local Advisory Councils will be encouraged to develop strong links with the voluntary sector, Community Health Partnerships and patient groups, will have the appropriate opportunities to attend NHS board meetings, and will feedback the views of the public to the local NHS board.

  I am currently considering the original proposal, the responses to the consultation exercise and the various options for the way forward. This includes considering the future relationship of the Scottish Health Council to NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.

  I met with the Scottish Association of Health Councils on 12 September to discuss their views on the future. They will be closely involved in the development and implementation of the future structure.

Scottish Water

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of Scottish Water.

Ross Finnie: As I advised the member in my response on 23 July to his question S2W-1160 on 4 August 2003, as minister responsible for the water industry in Scotland, I have regular meetings with Scottish Water on a wide range of issues

Sign Language

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available to assist students wishing to study the sign language interpreters course at Heriot-Watt University.

Mr Jim Wallace: At undergraduate level support is generally provided to students undertaking courses leading to a higher education qualification up to first degree or equivalent level which has been validated by a UK university or a national examining body such as the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The course in Interpreting Studies and Skills at Heriot-Watt University does not lead to a recognised higher education level qualification and students undertaking it are, therefore, ineligible to receive student support.

Single European Currency

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what public expenditure has been incurred and committed in preparation for possible entry into the European common currency.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive has included and will continue to include euro compatibility as part of new or upgraded IT systems. This is in line with the Prime Minister’s statement of February 1999. Euro compatibility can be incorporated into new or upgraded IT systems at nil or marginal cost.

  The Scottish Executive has also carried out work commissioned by the Treasury under the Outline National Changeover Plans. This consisted almost exclusively of staff time, and was incidental to other duties.

Sport

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to resource and support alternative sports such as skateboarding and mountain biking.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Executive has allocated to local authorities £180 million Quality of Life funding over the three-year period to 2005-06. This funding will be used to improve the local environment and increase opportunities for children and young people. A number of local authorities have identified projects involving alternative sports which I welcome.

Student Finance

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many students on Erasmus programmes at Scottish universities receive exemption from tuition fees.

Mr Jim Wallace: For the academic year 2001-02, approximately 2,130 students on Erasmus programmes attended Scottish higher education institutions. It is a condition of the Erasmus programme that, where students are studying on courses which last for a full academic year (nine months or more), no tuition fees are charged by the host institution. This condition applies to all participating institutions.

  Source: Statistics provided by UK Socrates Erasmus council

Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Transport regarding lorry road user charging; what the annual sum generated in Scotland from such charging will be; what funds generated from such charging will be allocated to Scotland; what opportunities the Executive will have to influence the operation of such a charging scheme, and what its role will be in the operation of such a scheme.

Nicol Stephen: The lorry road user charging (LRUC) project was discussed in detail at the most recent Department for Transport-Scottish Executive bi-lateral meeting in July of this year. The LRUC has been classified as a tax and is, therefore, a reserved matter. As such, all receipts will go into the central exchequer. HM Customs and Excise are implementing the new charge. The Scottish Executive will be involved with the project as it develops.

Vaccines

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which health boards make mercury-free vaccination to parents available on request.

Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-1225 on 17 July 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/swearch_wa .

  On 3 September 2003, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer wrote to NHSScotland health professionals reiterating policy and advice on issues relating to thiomersal in vaccines.

  Details of the specific vaccine brands used in each NHS board area, by individual practitioners, are not available centrally.

Water Charges

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to the concerns raised in the Water Customer Consultation Panel report on water charges to small businesses.

Ross Finnie: I am currently considering how best to take forward the recommendation of the recent report by the Water Customer Consultation Panels for a public consultation on the principles of charging. I believe that a public debate on these principles, during the course of the next year, could provide one of the building blocks for the next Strategic Review of Charges.